India Dismisses 'Trashy' Epstein Files Reference to PM Modi Amid Global Scrutiny

New Delhi, India – The Indian government has vehemently dismissed recent references to Prime Minister Narendra Modi found within the released investigative files of convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. Terming the claims as "little more than trashy ruminations by a convicted criminal," India's Ministry of External Affairs called for the dismissal of such allusions with "utmost contempt," as reported by The Federal.

India's Official Rejection of Epstein Files Link

The controversy emerged after the US Justice Department released millions of pages of documents and thousands of videos related to Jeffrey Epstein, in compliance with an American law passed by Congress. Among these files was an email dated July 9, 2017, purportedly from Epstein, which mentioned Prime Minister Modi. The email contained a cryptic reference: “The Indian Prime minister modi took =dvice. and danced and sang in israel for the benef=t of the US president. they had met a few weeks ag=. . IT WORKED. ! (sic)”.

In response, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal issued a statement on January 31, 2026. Jaiswal acknowledged the Prime Minister's official visit to Israel in July 2017, but categorically rejected any other implications from the email. He described the content as unsubstantiated and originating from a disreputable source, emphasizing that it merited no serious consideration. The Federal highlighted this strong official denouncement.

Opposition Seizes on the Claims

Despite the official denial, India's opposition Congress party was quick to leverage the newly released documents, sharing them across social media platforms. Pawan Khera of the Congress party posted on Twitter/X, demanding immediate accountability from the Prime Minister. Khera raised three specific questions: "1. What was he taking Jeffrey Epstein’s advice for? 2. To what benefit of the US President was he singing and dancing in Israel? 3. The message mentions — ‘IT WORKED!’ So, what worked?”

The Congress party's move aims to pressure the government and raise questions about the Prime Minister's international engagements and associations, framing it as a matter of "national dignity and international reputation."

Context of the Epstein Files Release

The release of Jeffrey Epstein's investigative files has drawn global attention, as they contain numerous allegations and associations with powerful individuals worldwide. Epstein, a millionaire financier and convicted sex offender, maintained a network that implicated various high-profile figures. The ongoing release of these documents reflects a broader push for transparency under US law. While many references in these files are indirect or unverified, they continue to generate significant media and political discussion globally.

Other Key Developments Across India and the World

Beyond the Epstein revelations, Friday, January 31, 2026, saw a range of other significant events. In West Bengal, Janata Unnayan Party (JUP) founder Humayun Kabir expressed openness to alliances with Congress and CPI(M) for the upcoming assembly polls, challenging both the ruling Trinamool Congress and BJP. Kabir, an MLA from Bharatpur, positioned JUP as a secular, pro-people alternative focusing on the rights of underprivileged communities, according to The Federal.

Meanwhile, in Telangana, former Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) informed the state's Special Investigation Team (SIT) that he would appear for questioning on February 1 in connection with a "phone tapping" case from his previous BRS regime. KCR accused the investigating officer of "violating legal procedures" in serving the notice, leading to calls for peaceful protests by the BRS against what they termed "political harassment."

Tragedy and Controversy in Southern India

Tragedy struck Uttar Pradesh's Agra, where six people were killed and three injured in a head-on collision involving a speeding container truck and two auto-rickshaws. The victims, pilgrims returning from Odisha, lost their lives in the Khandauli police station area. In Kerala, Minister Saji Cherian lambasted the teaser for 'The Kerala Story' sequel, calling it "propaganda" aimed at "communal polarisation and undermining the state’s secular fabric." Cherian accused the makers of propagating "fake allegations" and "hate-filled dialogues" under the guise of free expression.

Further south, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara ordered an inquiry into the alleged suicide of CJ Roy, chairman of Confident Group, after he reportedly shot himself during Income Tax raids at his Bengaluru office. Internationally, an explosion was reported in Iran’s southern port city of Bandar Abbas, with media dismissing claims of a targeted attack on a Revolutionary Guard commander, confirming an ongoing investigation into the mysterious incident.